This is the Beagle Boys’ second appearance and first since Season Three’s Sock Burglar.

Best known for his starring role in the “Night on Bald Mountain” segment from Fantasia (1940), Chernabog makes his series debut here. Chernabog is based on the God of Night from Slavic Mythology and Walt Disney referred to him as “the devil himself.”

Chernabog raises the football stadium seemingly from the depths of Hell and fills it with his demonic minions also from Fantasia.

Both the football stadium and the prison the Beagle Boys break out of have the same shape.

All this makes it extremely strange that a football short would be released in July of all months. I know I’m making too much of this but it’s just odd. Anyway, this is a pretty good episode as well as being among the series’ best sports offerings. It’s a simple enough Mickey, Donald and Goofy short with tons of great slapsticky action but what really sets it apart is the inclusion of the Chernabog who turns in an all-time performance. He doesn’t say much (save for a sinister chuckle) but his presence looms large and the scene of him conjuring up a demonic football stadium is an iconic moment for the series. This episode also has a great soundtrack which makes it an early favourite for a Best Music Shorty.